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A shattered bottle of champagne encased in a glass showcase drew my attention. This was the original bottle used to christen the Broadmoor Hotel back in 1918.

It’s a nice thought but it did look sort of creepy. Which was totally appropriate seeing as this was the place I was going to celebrate Halloween.  Also I couldn’t shake off this weird connection with another Broadmoor – the infamous prison in England.
What started as a home for the insane, Broadmoor went on to house some of the most notorious killers in British history.  Robert Maudsley, who has been compared to Hannibal Lecter, resides there in solitary confinement in a glass cell after crimes of murder and possible cannibalism.  It has also been home to other charming people like Ian Brady – the Moors murderer – and the Yorkshire Ripper.  Fortunately the Broadmoor in Colorado is able to boast of a better class of guest- John Wayne, Clark Gable and even lovely Prince Harry!

So here I am on Halloween in a hotel that reminds me of the hotel in The Shining and even more weird the original hotel which inspired Stephen King’s novel is also in Colorado –  The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park.
Yes – that hotel looks pretty creepy too.  Notice the reception desk …. now that’s what I call a good costume.

Other famous creepy  hotels in the world include the Crescent Hotels in Eureka Springs US where room 218 is haunted by a ghost the staff refer to as Michael.  You can also try La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe – haunted by quite a few including a judge.  And then there’s the Hotel Chelsea in New York which is also apparently haunted – this one comes complete with closets full of skeletons.

Yep – I might not sleep that well tonight.   Mwhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaa……..